There will not be one reader here that will be shocked or even mildly surprised by the Israeli plan, my bad, I mean discussion. ;)Link
In an exclusive interview with Jerusalem Online, Middle East experts David Keleti and Jerry Gordon stated that in last month’s meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, the two discussed ways of managing Iranian belligerency.The two Middle East scholars noted that establishing a Syrian Kurdish safe zone dominated by the democratic Kurdish National Assembly of Syria (KURDNAS), an umbrella organization comprised of a majority of Kurdish tribes and Syrian political parties led by Dr. Sherkoh Abbas, (pictured below left) is the best guarantee that Israel has to thwart the Iranian threat. According to them, the KURDNAS-sponsored militias are also part of the 65,000-strong Kurdish contingent of the SDF, leading the push to liberate the ISIS-controlled capital city of Raqqa.
Keleti and Gordon noted that Israel has many reasons to support the Kurds: “Kurds and Israelis share many similarities; a regional minority with an ancient history, deep connection to their land, and a voice of moderation. Ancient ties bind Jews and Kurds together. The Talmud recounts the generosity of Kurdish Jewish converts and Jerusalem residents King Monobaz and Queen Helena of Adiabene (c. 50 C.E.), especially their donations to the Second Temple, including the famed menorah The Sultan Saladin, a Kurd, permitted Jews to live in the holy city. In 2014, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated his support for an independent Kurdistan in opposition to the federated model favored by the Obama administration.”Oh lookie, lookie the YPG/PKK have already developed a proposal under review by the Trump administration for ethnically cleansed Syrian territory they have appropriated: take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
According to Keleti and Gordon, KURDNAS developed a proposal, which is currently under review by the Trump Administration that will help advance such a safe zone that could help to thwart the Iranian threat and at the same time promote the largest ethnic group in the Middle East that lacks a state. It has a phased approach including:1- North/Northwestern Syrian Kurdish Safe Zones. A U.S.-led coalition would secure safe zones in a quiet section of northwestern Syria to admit vetted refugees. A KURDNAS-backed National Guard would maintain law and order while defending itself against Islamist terror attacks.
The US would admit vetted refugees to Syria?
2- Kurdistan Regional Government of Syria. The establishment of an autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government of Syria (KRGS), modeled after the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government, who maintain positive relations with the U.S., Israel, the European Union and Turkey. The Turkish Government is likely to accept a KURDNAS-administered governorate over a PYD-administered one.
3- Democratic, representative, and pluralistic Kurdistan in northern Syria. The KRGS will be committed to personal freedom, economic prosperity, and human rights, promoting greater political and economic ties with Turkey and Israel. The prosperity will encourage Kurds in the diaspora to return home and rebuild Kurdistan, and support greater integration with other like-minded Kurdish regions. KURDNAS is well-suited to adopt pluralistic governance, having developed strong relationships with leaders of Druze, Arab, Alawite, and other ethnic communities.
“With a new administration in Washington, Russia and Turkey appear more willing to cooperate with the West in de-escalating the Syrian conflict,” they noted. “Russia currently favors a federalist model for Syria granting limited regional autonomy for the Kurds—a strategy now supported by the PYD—over the safe zone model but it (Russia) can be induced to support Kurdish independence in return for official guarantees preserving their Syrian interests including their naval facility in Tartus." The Turkish Government, friendly with Iraqi Kurds, has shown a new willingness to open dialogue with Syrian Kurds. However, no Turkish government, secular or Islamist, will accept an autonomous PYD-administered Kurdish government.”
Notice no one is asking Syria what they think? How does the Syrian government and all the other Syrians feel about these plans? Not even a consideration!
In conclusion, the two Middle East experts proclaimed: “Syria’s Kurds desire peace, prosperity, and the opportunity to shape their own future without the twin scourges of Islamist fundamentalism and Iranian imperialism. A unique opportunity exists to work with the U.S. and its allies to achieve stability in Syria and the wider Middle East. Israel, an early supporter of Kurdish self-determination, can continue to play an important role in supporting a strong, democratic and independent Kurdistan.”
Islamist fundamentalism and Kurds go hand and hand- The two middle east experts are definitely spinning that nonsense Ekurds note that ends this article is an amazing bit of spin- With so many reports of PYD’s ruthlessness in northern Syria, the fact that they’ve established an autocratic system,(taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering) where they have the “authority”, not the popularity, on the ground, is not a surprise. Tyrannical moves such as the reported forces shut down of the Assyrian offices doesn’t tend to make one popular-
Kurdish police (Asayish) reportedly closed the headquarters of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) on Thursday night, forcing all the members inside to leave the premises.According to local reports, the Asayish repeatedly threatened to close the ADO’s headquarters today before the finally stormed the site inside Hasakah City’s Al-Malikiyah District.No reasons was cited by the Asayish for closing the site; however, long-standing rivalries likely played a factor in this latest move.
However it makes clear the autocracy I mentioned. Keep the above news in mind when reading Ekurds note below
Ekurd’s note: PYD is the ruling and the biggest Kurdish party in Syrian Kurdistan considered as key U.S. ally in the war on Islamic State group. All other small Kurdish parties backed by Turkish government of KNC (ENKS) and KURDNAS which have created or backed by Iraqi Kurdistan’s Massoud Barzani, do not have any real authority or popularity on the ground in Syrian Kurdistan. PYD has established three autonomous cantons in Syrian Kurdistan since 2013.